Legal Team, Friends Continue to Fight for Meek Mill

A judge must decide on bail for Meek Mill, the Pennsylvania Superior Court said on Tuesday. Now, his supporters and closest friends are continuing to fight for him.

(Published Monday, Dec. 4, 2017)

The Philadelphia judge overseeing rapper Meek Mill’s probation case must quickly decide whether or not he should be granted bail, the Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled Tuesday.

The decision came as the higher court denied an emergency motion for writ of habeus corpus — filed hours before — asking that Mill be released on bond as his case is reviewed.

Attorneys for Mill say Common Pleas Judge Genece Brinkley has ignored their motions asking for bail and that she recuse herself from the case. That led them to appeal to the higher court. But the Superior Court kicked the case back to Brinkley saying she must make a ruling before they can hear any appeal.

"The Court of Common Pleas is directed to enter a disposition of Petitioner's November 16, 2017 motion for bail without further delay," the ruling states.

Brinkley will also need to send a brief explanation about her decision — whatever it may be — to the Superior Court.

The quick decision pleased Mill’s legal team, which has been exploring many legal avenues to get the Philly-born rapper, whose legal name is Robert Williams, out of a state prison in Chester, Pennsylvania.

"We’re pleased that the Superior Court took immediate action to direct the Court of Common Pleas to decide on the application for bail "without further delay." We remain hopeful that Mr. Williams will be promptly released on bail," attorney Jordan Siev said in a statement.

Tuesday's legal wrangling is the latest chapter in a decade-long saga over Mill's freedom.

The 30-year-old is nearly a month into a 2 to 4 year prison sentence for violating probation.

The probation stems from a 2007 arrest for drug possession and carrying a firearm without a license. He was convicted two years later and placed on parole after spending several months in jail.

Meek Mill Sentenced 2 to 4 Years in Prison

Philly hip hop artist Meek Mill was sentenced two to four years in prison for violating his parole.

(Published Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017)

The sentence has been called harsh and unfitting of the lapses, which included an alleged fight in the St. Louis airport and performing tricks on a dirt bike in New York City. Prosecutors had recommended no jail time, but Brinkley felt otherwise.

Meek Mill Sentenced to Prison Over Probation Violations

Rapper Meek Mill was sentenced Monday to two to four years in prison on probation violations by a Philadelphia judge who said the musician had wasted several chances to clean up his act following a 2009 gun and drug case.

(Published Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017)

Jay-Z penned an op-ed in The New York Times saying Mill's case demonstrates how the criminal justice system “entraps and harasses” African-Americans.